5 Symptoms of RA in Women

Health Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore

Women are busy. We try to balance so many roles: motherhood, spouse, co-worker, leader, sibling, friend, volunteer, homemaker. It's not surprising that, when rheumatoid arthritis (RA) strikes, it's difficult to see the onset. Here are somesigns ofRA for women to look out for.

I awoke one summer morning with my body screaming at me to finally see the signs. I couldn't sit up in bed, so I started to listen.

Are you ignoring some of the telltale symptoms of RA? Most women do.

Every woman is tired, overworked and pulled in many directions. But when the fatigue never ends and your joint swelling occurs routinely enough you can tell time by the inflammation, it's time to look more closely at your symptoms.

Joint Pain and Swelling

Unlike other joint diseases, RA occurs symmetrically, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Usually, the joints on both sides of the body are affected.

For example, in the morning my ankles swell and are stiff at the same time. During the afternoon, both of my wrists bother me. To stay positive, I keep moving. A midday workout at my desk is common, soothing and a great way to stay limber.

The Arthritis Foundation also explains that the most obvious sign of RA in women is inflammation and swelling in the joints. But, for me, RA pain isn't like other pain. It's not sharp and stabbing, like when you twist your ankle or fall and bump your knee during a workout. It's throbbing and constant. I notice:

Redness of the skin

Tightening of the skin

Swelling at the joint

Tenderness or warmth when touched

Occasional bruising on the knuckles

Muscle and joint pain is most often felt in the morning or after periods of rest. It may last up to an hour, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. The tissue that lines the joints becomes inflamed, causing tenderness. This makes joints produce extra synovial fluid, which creates a puffy, swollen appearance.

Ongoing Fatigue

Everyone gets tired. But because of RA, my fatigue doesn't go away -- even after taking a nap or getting a long night's sleep. Sometimes the exhaustion is so extreme I feel loopy and not safe enough to drive.

When my fatigue is at its peak, I can fall asleep at my desk without even realizing it. To cope with this symptom of RA, I adhere to a routine sleep schedule and allow myself naps when I know I have a long day ahead.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a low-grade fever often accompanies fatigue. I notice this combination of fatigue and fever early in the morning when I've been unable to sleep. In the middle of winter, I can feel too warm wearing shorts and a T-shirt.

This mixture of fatigue and fever causes me to lose my appetite. Weight loss is another symptom of RA in women, according to an article in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. When you don't feel well, food simply doesn't sound as appealing. My rheumatologist closely monitors my weight as part of tracking the disease's progression.

The Flu Feeling

During the winter months, I often have to ask myself if I'm getting the flu or if my RA is flaring up. For me, RA feels like the onset of the cold weather illness. Muscle and joint pain, exhaustion, nausea, fever and a general feeling of being worn down are common when you have RA, according to the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society.

Thankfully, these feelings don't occur daily. I notice the flu-like symptoms just before a major bout of joint swelling or after pushing myself to do too much in a day. I can actually avoid this feeling by getting enough rest, sticking to an exercise schedule and eating healthy.

If you notice a flu-like feeling occurring for a few hours at a time, without a runny nose or sore throat, it's time to call a doctor. You may be experiencing one of the symptoms of RA in women that gets ignored the most.

Skin Nodules and Deformed Hands

Although RA can be a fairly hidden disease, there are some physical symptoms you can look for. Some women develop small nodules of thick tissue under their skin. These bumps usually occur near the joints, such as the elbows, knees or fingers. According to the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center (JHAC), they can even occur in the eyes and on internal organs, such as the heart and lungs. My rheumatologist has explained that nodules usually occur in more advanced cases of RA.

Another physical symptom of RA in women is the bending of the fingers at the joints. Deformed fingers and a permanent bend in the wrist is also characteristic of advanced RA, according to the JHAC. But sometimes a slight twist in the joints cannot be detected by the average person. However, your rheumatologist can see it right away.

Each time I visit my rheumatologist, he does a physical exam to look for these classic physical symptoms. His trained eye can see the changes in my joints and skin faster than I can.

Weakened Immune System

I am very careful about the timing of my exposure to large crowds and visits to hospitals. I can almost guarantee an RA flare-up after attending a public event or spending a day visiting a friend in the hospital. When my immune system gets stimulated, my autoimmune response also kicks in, causing me to feel poorly.

To keep my immunity in check, I stick to a healthy diet rich in fresh produce, exercise daily and get as much rest as I can. And I avoid shopping in heavily populated public places or attending events with large audiences. Taking a proactive approach keeps me healthy and my RA flares to a minimum.